Contributed
(March 14, 2010)

ORANGE  BEACH – The Lady Senators won two more games today at the Gulf Coast Invitational with a 7-0 win over St. Gregory’s College and an 8-1 win over Park University.

Danielle Ryan (7-1) went the distance in AUM’s 8-1 win over Park in today’s second game.  She allowed four hits and the one run while striking out five.

AUM took the lead in the third inning scoring two runs, one on a Park error and another on an RBI single from Whitney Wyatt.

AUM blew the game open in the sixth inning scoring six runs on six hits and taking advantage of two walks.  Allie Bobo had the big blow of the inning with a two-run double.  Morgan Dodd and Monica Hatcher also had RBI hits in the inning.

AUM out hit Park 12-4 with Taylor Burt leading the way with three hits while Joanna Reynolds and Stacin Halverson each having two.

All-American Brandi Richards (4-2) returned to her old self today in a 7-0 win over St. Gregory’s College in the day’s first game.  The sophomore right-hander only allowed one hit and two walks on her way to a 14-strikeout performance in the shutout win.

The game was scoreless until the fourth inning when Monica Hatcher hit a solo homerun to give Richards the only run she would need.

AUM would go on to score three runs in each the fifth and sixth innings to put the game out of reach.  Richards also did her part on the mound collecting three hits.  Sara Allen had a two-RBI triple and Hatcher also finished the game with two RBI.

With the wins in today’s games, the Lady Senators (15-4-1) won their bracket and have now moved on to tomorrow’s Gold Bracket double-elimination Championship games.  AUM’s first game will be at 9 a.m. against an opponent to be known later tonight.

Faulkner edged Ohio Dominican 2-1 then fell to Freed-Hardeman 4-3 in the Gulf Coast Invitational softball tournament Saturday afternoon, ending pool play with a 3-1 record. The impressive two-day showing has the Eagles playing in the Gold Division tournament on Sunday.

Samantha Belden earned the victory against Ohio Dominican, pitching a complete game. Jessi Palmer had a solo home run for Faulkner.

Duke took the loss for Faulkner (7-10) against Freed-Hardeman. The Eagles got two hits apiece from Missy Duke and Scottie Wilkes.